The glamorous world of cinema got a distinctly Cumbrian twist as the premiere of a new British comedy came to Ambleside.

Cast, crew and audience paired evening gowns and suits with hiking boots and walked down a grassy red carpet as the curtain went up on ‘Downhill’ at Zeffirellis.

Shot entirely on location, the comedy tells the story of four friends who take on Wainwright’s Coast to Coast Walk from St Bees in Cumbria to Robin Hood’s Bay in North Yorkshire.

The event was attended by cast members Jeremy Swift and Richard Lumsden and director James Rouse, who was visibly emotional at seeing his feature debut on the big screen, and the warm audience reaction.
“It’s a story about four guys going on a walk which doesn’t sound very sexy but it’s the characters, hopefully, that make you stay with it.”

The small crew were a ‘tight unit’ and helped each other carry equipment up hills while dealing with the downpours. “If a film showed a two-week walk in the north of England with wonderful weather no one would have believed it. The landscapes were extraordinary and I think England looks really good in this film.”
The event was held in aid of the Langdale and Ambleside Mountain Rescue Team, with a total of £900 raised.

A BLAZE of colour filled the heavens above Kendal Castle as scores of unusually-shaped kites were flown during a two-day festival.

Hundreds of people turned out to see the skies above the central town landmark transformed into a kaleidoscope of colour.

The free event saw kites of all descriptions performing aerial acrobatics. There was a 16ft hippopotamus, flying dogs, super-sized fish and many more, all organised by SmileFactor10 and Kendal United Junior Football Club.

Event organiser Craig Harby, who attends kite festivals regularly, said he wanted to bring the joys of the event to his home town.

“I do it for smiles. If you get someone looking at your kite and smiling then that’s why you do it really,” said Mr Harby. “It’s one of those things you either enjoy or not. It's a peaceful thing flying a kite.”

Emma Whitanney, of Windermere, who was at the event with her eight-year-old son, Isaac, said: “It’s fab for the area to have something like this. It’s a really fun family day out.”

There was also a Kendal United two-day car boot sale where a selection of kites, air toys, novelties and balloons were available to buy and fly.

Other activities included a bouncy castle, face painting, children’s play area and a BMX track.

Proceeds from the kite extravaganza will go towards Kendal’s Junior Football Club.

Anyone with photographs from the day should send them to hello@smilefactor10.co.uk for a chance of winning a seven-foot delta flow tail kite.

CONGRATULATIONS to all our Easter Egg hunters. Once again the Easter Bunny visited the grounds of the Hotel and left 30 eggs hidden away amongst the flower beds. The Easter egg hunting team, some 15 hunters strong this year made short work of finding all the eggs, including the fantastic golden egg, special congratulations Georgie Madeley, The bunny also left Easter gifts for all egg hunters.

The bunny will be back next year, rumour has he may even have a special costume for the occasion.

Hope you all had a great Easter and have been enjoying the fine weather.

Is it too late for a William and Kate Scavenger Hunt this Friday?? possibly!!

Till next time enjoy your chocolate and practice your bunny bouncing for next year!!

A POPULAR visitor attraction in Bowness is in the running for a prestigious award for excellence.

Blackwell, The Arts and Crafts House project by Lakeland Arts Trust – one of Britain's finest surviving arts and crafts house by M.H.Baillie Scott - has been shortlisted from hundreds of entries for an award at the national Museums and Heritage Awards for Excellence.

Comedienne and broadcaster Sue Perkins will announce the 11 lucky winners at a ceremony at Westminister on May 11.

The Awards applaud projects ranging from groundbreaking achievements of national institutions to those crafted with limited resources and budget and winners will be selected by a panel of judges including Diane Lees, Director General, Imperial War Museums and Sam Mullins, Director, London Transport Museum and other leading sector professionals.